X-ray device



0d. 9, 1934. (3,` M. SLACK ET AL l 1,975,871

X-RAY DEVICE Filed June 27. 1930 Patented Oct. 9, 1934 Unirse' srarss X-RAY Charles Morse Slack,

Michael Dinnick, North Arlington, N. J., as-

signors to iVestinghou poration of Pennsylva se Lamp Company, a corma Application June 27, 1930, Serial No. 464,148

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electric discharge devices and more particularly to discharge devices of the X-ray type, and to means for mounting such devices in cooperative assembly with high .voltage electrical equipment so that the device may besafely handled.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a shock prooi housing for an X-ray tube.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit assembly comprising an X-ray device and an electrically insulating housing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shock proof unit assembly comprising an .X-ray device, an electrically insulating housing and X-ray shielding means preventing the X- rays from emerging from thev unit in any but the desired direction.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the use and application of X-rays.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is more fully disclosed.

In accordance with the objects of the present invention we have devised a unit assembly comprising an X-ray device, an enclosing electrically insulating housing and X-ray shielding means preventing the X-rays from emerging from the unit in any direction but the desired direction, all as will be more fully set forth.

Before further disclosing the present invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawing wherein;

The ngure illustrates a side elevational view partly in cross-section of a unit assembly conr structed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing it will be noted that the unit assembly comprises a housing member 1 and a centrally disposed X-ray device 2. The housing member 1 is comprised of a dielectric insulator preferably of bakelite or similar type dielectric which may be readily moulded or shaped to the desired sizes and configurations. The X- ray device 2 comprises what is known in the art as a Grenz ray device or soit X-ray device. vSuch an X-ray device is relatively small in size and is substantially set forth and disclosed in col pending application Serial No. 419,479, filed January 9, 1930, which application is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The C. M. Slack of this ccpending application is the same C. M. Slack of the present invention. The housing member 1 for such a device may be comprised for example of a bakelite tube about 3 inches in diameter and 12 inches long.

The X-ray device 2 is supported axially within (Cl. Z50-34) the bakelite tube 1 by providing a bakelite collar 3 rigidly retained in position within the bakelite tube 1 by means of pegs 5 and 6. A threaded end portion of the anode base 7 of the X-ray device 2 extends through the collar and a wing nut 4 is provided for rigidly fastening the anode base 7 to the collar 3 substantially in the manner shown. Other means for so mounting or so rigidly retaining the X-ray device centrally in position in the housing member 1 may be devised or provided but this method appears to have the advantage of simplicity. Moreover by thus supporting the tube the cathode end of the tube is erf/actually protected from external mechanical injury.

The housing member 1 is provided with a slot 8 to allow the cathode arm 9 of the X-ray device 2 to project through the tubing, The cathode end of the housing member 1 is to be operated at ground potential. The high voltage lead is connected to the anode of the device at the end opposite to the cathode end or" the housing member by means of insulation cable 10, a slotted section 11 being provided in the housing member 1 to permit the cable 10 to extend within the housing.

The end of the cable 10 is provided with means 12 for making electrical connection to contact member 13 which is rigidly united to a bakelite disc 14 adapted to completely close the end of housing 1 and to be retained in position by means of set screws 15. Means 16, such as indicated are provided for retaining the cable 10 to the disc closure member 14. Contact member 13 is provided With a spring contact member 17 to facilitate electrical Contact with anode base member 7.

A removable metal closure member 18, preferably comprised of aluminum is provided for completely closing the cathode end of the housing 1. This is provided to protect the thin glass window 19 through which the X-rays are expelled during operation of the device. During operation of the device this closure member 18 is removed.

Adjustable means of supporting the unit assembly in any desired position is provided and comprises a metal band 20 frictionally engaging the outer circumference of the housing member 1 having an extension 21, adapted to be attached to a support arm 22 in any desired manner, such as by means of lock nut 23.

The housing member 1 is also provided with Ventilating openings 24 so that the heat generated therein during operation of the X-ray device may be readily expelled.

During operation of the X-ray device the anode 26 is bombarded by electrons from the incandescent cathode enclosed within shield member 25 and X-rays are expelled in all directions. A certain number of the higher Velocity rays penetrate the enclosing glass envelope 27 of the device. The bulk of the X-rays radiated in the direction of the thin glass Window penetrate therethrough and may be put to useful application. Those stray X-rays otherwise penetrating the envelope are deleterious and undesirable. We, therefore, provide the interior of the cathode end of the housing member 1 with a coating of thin lead rubber 29 which absorbs the stray X-rays and prevents them from penetrating through the housing.

By such an arrangement of parts as above described we have provided a unit shock proof X-ray tube assembly which may be readily mounted and adjusted in position, thus facilitating the use and application of X-rays.

-I-Iaving broadly and specifically disclosed the present invention and given one speciiic embodiment of the same, it is apparent that there may be many variations and modifications made in the specilic embodiment without departing essentially from the nature and scope of the invention as is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An X-ray tube holder comprising a dielectric cylinder having a slot at one end adapted to accommodate an arm of an X-ray tube, a coating of X-ray absorbent material at one end of said cylinder, a removable means closing said end of said cylinder and being permeable to X-rays, means closing the other end of said cylinder, said cylinder having a plurality of openings for allowing the circulation of air, and means for supporting an X-ray tube, said last mentioned means being supported by said cylinder.

2. An X-ray apparatus comprising a dielectric cylinder having a slot at one end thereof, an X-ray tube in said casing, said X-ray tube being L shaped, the short arm of said tube extending through said slot, a cover plate permeable to X-rays and closing said end, means secured to said cylinder for supporting said X-ray tube, the long arm of said tube extending along the longitudinal axis of said cylinder, and means at the lower end of said cylinder for absorbing substantially all the X-rays emanating from said tube except those that strike said cover plate.

3. An X-ray apparatus comprising a dielectric cylinder, an annular member located well within the ends of said cylinder and secured to said cylinder, said cylinder having a slot at each end thereof, a dielectric means closing one end of said 'cylinder and an X-ray permeable means closing the other end of said cylinder, an L shaped X-ray tube having anode and cathode terminals and located in said cylinder, the short arm of said tube projecting through one of said slots, the other arm of said tube extending along the longitudinal axis of said tube and through the opening of said annular member, means secured to the upper end of said last mentioned arm and abutting said annular member for preventing longitudinal movement of said tube, a conductor for supplying current to said tube being secured to said dielectric closing means, means for electrically connecting said conductor to the anode rterminal of said X-ray tube.

CHARLES MORSE SLACK. GEORGE MICHAEL DINNICK. 

